Post BF Screening

Both pregnancy and lactation can temporarily raise the cholesterol level by about 10 to 20 percent so she could still do the test along with factoring the allowance for the increase.

Yes, this is true that your cholesterol increases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I had my cholesterol testing right around the time I stopped breastfeeding and the number was elevated. My doctor mentioned that it was likely high due to the breastfeeding and I should wait six to twelve months to re-test and not too worry about the elevated result. I thought it seemed odd too and looked it up in my baby books and it is true.

Hi!

Actually, my friend had her cholesterol checked while she was pregnant at a free screening and it came back at 376! We almost had a heart attack until she saw her OB and he told her not to worry because your cholesterol raises while you are pregnant and to not get it rechecked for at least 6 months afterwards, so I'm sure this is the same thing. Your body just needs to build up cholesterol for the baby I guess.

Hope this helps!

i never heard of this; it doesn't sound sensible to me. why would breastfeeding increase cholesterol? breast milk is made from components of your blood and other fluid, i would think it would lower cholesterol. if i were you i would look up your local La Leche League chapter (they hve a great website,) and ask them, or try Kellymom.com, which is cheifly informed by some of the world's leading breastfeeding specialists including Cathy Genna. doctors know nothing about breastfeeding and sometimes they tell nursing mothers dangerously off base misinformation.

Yes.. a breast feeding mom's cholesterol is sky high for a reason.. Human milk is 7% fat! ( cow's milk is 4% fat.. 1/2 1/2 is 10% fat..) anyway... your cholesterol is high because your body has to get that fat from somewhere.,. and is is your liver producing it.. Don't worry.. The levels are normal...

nope. i just had a cholesterol screening for health insurance and i've only been done bf'ing for 2 months. they didn't even ask about it... probably cuz my daughter is 2 years old, but still...

I have never heard that, though I did have one screening after I stopped bfing my older daughter and the reading was oddly high, I wonder if thats the issue....

I never heard of that in my life and I went to nursing school! I think you misunderstood your doctor. You are not suppossed to eat maybe 12 hours before a cholesterol test. That is why doctors advise you not to have breakfast (or lunch depending on what time your appt is).

If anything breakfast is a very important meal. Probably the most important meal of the day. I don't believe any doctor would advise you not to eat breakfast for a year! If that were the case, I would seek another doctor.

I would call up your doctor's office again and clarify this immediately.

Yes. Your doctor is right. 80% of our cholesterol is actually produced by the body (and only 20% we get with food) and during pregnancy and breastffeding the production increases significantly. A year after breastfeeding seems long but I guess to be on the safe side.